‘Innocent little dog’ in dire condition at shelter — but is fighting ‘uphill battle’
A dog is facing a long, difficult journey in Philadelphia after arriving at a shelter in dire condition.
When Bucko went to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), nearly every bone in his body was visible through his chocolate coat and his chances of survival appeared low.
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“Bucko came to us in a condition that no living being ever should,” the shelter said in a Dec. 27 Facebook post. “Severely emaciated, every single bone protruded from under his feces-caked fur. He scored a 1/9 on the Purina body condition scale — the lowest possible score for a living animal.”
“After finding himself at ACCT Philly due to suspected cruelty, Bucko was transferred to our Main Line Animal Rescue (MLAR) center in critical condition. An oversized collar hung heavily around his neck, adding to the weight of his suffering.”
Though Bucko is now safe at the shelter, his healing process will be a long one.
“His journey is far from over, but Bucko is now receiving around-the-clock care in MLAR’s shelter hospital. He has an intensive treatment plan, which includes IV fluids, dextrose, heat support, and constant monitoring,” the shelter said. “This sweet, innocent little dog is really fighting an uphill battle, but we will go to the ends of the earth to give our animals every possible chance.”
Though Bucko isn’t up for adoption yet, people can view other adoptable pets on the shelter’s website.
This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 12:49 PM with the headline "‘Innocent little dog’ in dire condition at shelter — but is fighting ‘uphill battle’."